The karate belt knot is a simple square knot. The tricky part is getting the belt around the waist. There are two methods of doing it, the “Twist” method and the “Narrow” method. The Twist method is easy. Find the middle of the belt. Put it on or near your belly button. Wrap the ends […]
Month: July 2009
What is Checking?
Checking is maintaining contact on an opponent’s limb to limit or impede its use in a counter attack. The light contact allows you to sense when the limb is tensing for movement. At that time you can redirect it or jam it in place. It helps to limit the offensive capabilities of the opponent. Checking […]
How to shiko or knee walk
Shiko is a word I was taught for knee walking. I don’t know if that is the correct term but I’ll use it in this article and in class until I learn the proper term. We use shiko to move around on the padded mat (the tatami) in the dojo. From the kneeling position (Fig. […]
Why is Monkey Dance 14 Different?
As a derived style of Kajukenbo, we must look to their required kata to learn more about our syllabus. Traditional Emperado Method Kajukenbo uses Monkey Dance 13 and 14 as developmental kata. They teach moving footwork and stance work. They are simple yet vital foundational moves. In our style, we practice footwork with our Moving […]
Don’t Dangle Your Arms
In kata and during drills, you can spot the dangling arm of a beginning student. After a decent punch, the arm just flounders next to the body. A beginner “forgets” about their left arm once their mind moves on to the right arm. They forget the most important element of striking – Chamber your punches. […]
Kempo in Action 2
Here is a real life example of how one of my students actually used a technique in a schoolyard bully situation. “Rebecca” in Third Grade. The names are changed but the story is true. Rebecca started at a new school filled with students she didn’t know. It wasn’t long for the other students to single […]
Generalist versus Specialist
There’s an old saying about Generalist, “Jack of all trades, master of none.” I’ve heard that used to disparage artist who like to train in a variety of styles (including non-Asian martial arts) to increase the breadth and depth of their knowledge. Specialist feel one must stick to a topic and excel at it. “It […]
Bruce Lee passed 36 years ago
“Bruce Lee passed 36 years ago today in Hong Kong from an cerebral edema caused by an allergic reaction to pain medication. We pay homage to the awesomeness that was Bruce Lee! He lives on in our memories today!” (Facebook’s Bruce Lee group) An inspiration to martial artist all across the world.
Kempo in Action 1
Here is a real life example of how one of my students actually used a technique in an actual mugging attempt. The names are changed but the story is true. Mary, a mother on vacation with her family, was attacked in a casino. A strange man approached and distracted her while his accomplice sucker punched […]
Where’s the Shaolin in Shaolin Kempo?
The age-old myth that Shaolin Kempo Karate (SKK) is a modern derivation of the famed temple boxers is wrong. Sadly, visible and structural evidence is lacking in my humble opinion. The style has more in common with Karate than Kung Fu. Time and distance dilutes the relationship. Kempo is not similar to what we know […]